Celebrate the 'Holidays in Space'

Get immersed in out-of-this world holiday sprit at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

November 28, 2012|By Kyara Lomer-Camarena

If you’re planning any road trips to the Orlando area this holiday season, be sure to stop by the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, just east of Orlando, for some holiday cheer and a little space education.

From now through Jan. 1, the center is hosting its annual Holidays in Space. The complex is adorned with holiday decorations and offers daily opportunities to spend time with the Big Guy in Red and his better half.

Santa Claus will greet guests, pose for photos and hear little ones’ Christmas wishes in Santa’s Launch Control Center between Astronaut Encounter and Robot Scouts. Onsite elves, i.e., Kodak representatives, will be taking pictures for sale, but families are also able to take their own photos. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available at 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. through Dec. 24.

Mrs. Claus will read space-themed stories, including “The Cat in the Hat – There’s No Place Like Space” and “What the Moon Is Like,” to children at 3:30 p.m. daily. At 4 p.m., she and Santa will make their way to the Space Shop.

A team of international carolers will perform traditional holiday favorites daily at 10 and 11 a.m. and noon in the Rocket Garden, at 2 and 3 p.m. at the Saturn V Center and at 4:15 p.m. in the Space Shop.

In the spirit of holiday traditions around the world, a 42-foot International Space Station-themed Christmas tree is set up in the Rocket Garden and is decorated with 600 miniature flags from the 15 ISS partner countries. Guests will also have opportunities to learn about the holiday traditions of each of the ISS partners: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States. Prior to the start of each 3-D IMAX space film, guests will be able to see actual images of ISS crews celebrating the holidays in space.

Holidays in Space is included in the regular admission of $50 plus tax for adults and $40 plus tax for children ages 3 to 11. During the holidays, a reduced rate of $55 for adults and $45 for children is available for the Commander’s Club Annual Pass. Guests with a single-day admission may upgrade to an annual pass at a special price of $5 per person.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 877-313-2610 or visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com. The center is at SR 405, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899, just east of Orlando. Visit the website for driving directions.